Good News for Uttar Pardesh commuters: Meerut to Prayagraj in just 6 hours, Ganga Expressway to cut short travel time between these two cities, set to open in…
According to officials with the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the expressway’s trial run will be completed in the first week of December. Read here to know more about this project.
Cyclone Ditwah: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, southern Andhra Pradesh and several areas to be affected; check IMD warning, rainfall forecasts
Fishermen are being kept off the Bay of Bengal as Cyclone Ditwah approaches, with multiple districts in southern states on high alert. The cyclone’s landfall timing is uncertain, depending on its track over the next 24 hours, prompting officials to issue red and orange alerts.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth spends Thanksgiving with US troops in Latin America: ‘We are grateful for you’
War Secretary Pete Hegseth spent Thanksgiving with Navy sailors stationed in the Latin American region, serving holiday meals and sharing a message of gratitude for their service. In a video posted to X, Pete Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, said they chose to spend the holiday aboard Navy warships with sailors supporting Southern Spear, a mission targeting narco-terror networks across Latin America. “I was deployed three times — was always thinking about my family and hoped they were gathering with food and football and all those things,” Pete Hegseth said. “These folks won’t be. We’re going to bring them maybe a turkey and a little bit of cheer.” The war secretary also addressed Wednesday’s attack that targeted two Washington, D.C., National Guardsmen, offering prayers for the victims and their families. PETE HEGSETH MAKES HOMELAND SECURITY TOP MISSION IN FIRST INTERVIEW AS SECRETARY OF WAR “Our minds are also in Washington, D.C., with the two great Americans who were ambushed and targeted,” Pete Hegseth said. “And we’re prayerful for them, for all those around them, for their families.” The Hegseths visited both the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill, according to the Department of War. In another video posted to X, the Hegseths were seen serving Thanksgiving plates to sailors. “I give out too much candy at Halloween and too much turkey on Thanksgiving,” Pete Hegseth joked. HEGSETH TELLS TROOPS TO RESIGN IF THEY OPPOSE HIS PLAN TO SCRAP ‘WOKE’ POLICIES AND RESTORE WARRIOR ETHOS Aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, the war secretary delivered an address to the crew. “Happy Thanksgiving from me, the Secretary of War. Happy Thanksgiving from the President of the United States. Happy Thanksgiving from a grateful nation,” Pete Hegseth said. He again referenced the Guardsmen, calling them a reminder of “the bravery and the selflessness of Americans who put it all on the line.” HEGSETH RIPS MARK KELLY’S POST ABOUT HIS SERVICE: ‘YOU CAN’T EVEN DISPLAY YOUR UNIFORM CORRECTLY’ “Whether it’s in our nation’s capital, walking patrol, or whether it’s in our nation’s hemisphere, out at sea, interdicting cartels, defending the American people — we are grateful for you,” Pete Hegseth said. He added, “So on this Thanksgiving, on behalf of my wife and I, Jennifer, who is here with me as well and will meet many of you, we simply say thank you, our deepest gratitude, and we renew how committed we are to you and your families.” The war secretary closed with George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation and added a prayer for all deployed forces. “Godspeed, God bless, you are in our prayers, and we are grateful. Thank you. Thank you very much.”
Trump says US will begin stopping Venezuelan drug traffickers by land: ‘Going to start very soon’
President Trump on Thursday said the U.S. will “very soon” begin stopping suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers “by land.” Speaking to U.S. service members on Thanksgiving, Trump praised the U.S. Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, and their efforts to deter Venezuelan drug networks. “In recent weeks, you’ve been working to deter Venezuelan drug traffickers, of which there are many,” Trump said. “Of course, there aren’t too many coming in by sea anymore. Have you probably noticed that?” The president noted that drug traffickers are killing “hundreds of thousands of people a year” in the U.S. from the “poisons” that they bring in. US TROOPS IN VENEZUELA? TRUMP HINTS MAJOR MOVES POSSIBLE AS TENSIONS SOAR “From sending their poisons into the United States, where they kill hundreds of thousands of people a year — but we’re going to take care of that situation,” Trump said. “We’re already doing a lot… It’s about 85% stopped by sea.” The president added, “You probably noticed that now people aren’t wanting to be delivering by sea, and we’ll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon.” “We warn them, ‘stop sending poison to our country’,” Trump said. US MILITARY KILLS 2 SUSPECTED NARCO-TERRORISTS IN 16TH EASTERN PACIFIC STRIKE, HEGSETH SAYS Earlier this month, Trump said he was not ruling out sending U.S. ground troops into Venezuela amid his administration’s crackdown on criminal networks tied to the country’s top leadership and drugs that are exported from it. “No, I don’t rule out that, I don’t rule out anything,” Trump said Nov. 17 when asked if he had ruled out sending U.S. troops to Venezuela. US CARRIES OUT MORE ‘LETHAL’ STRIKES ON ALLEGED DRUG BOATS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS, SECRETARY HEGSETH SAYS Since early September, strikes across the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean have destroyed dozens of vessels, many tied to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang and Colombia’s Ejército de Liberación Nacional. The administration has since carried out at least 21 fatal strikes on the boats. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Emma Colton contributed to this report.
DHS moves to cut off South Texas Catholic Charities over migrant grant ‘misconduct,’ documents say
EXCLUSIVE – Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley – the South Texas nonprofit long known for its migrant shelter run by Sister Norma Pimentel – has been suspended from receiving federal funds and now faces a rare six-year debarment after a Department of Homeland Security investigation found major grant violations, according to internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents shared exclusively with Fox News Digital. The action, taken by FEMA on behalf of DHS on Nov. 19-20, follows months of warnings and data reviews that auditors say uncovered sweeping inaccuracies, large gaps in migrant records and significant billing outside federally allowed timeframes. The suspension applies only to this South Texas affiliate, not to Catholic Charities USA or any other Catholic Charities chapters nationwide. In a formal Notice of Suspension and Proposed Debarment, DHS officials accused the organization of submitting migrant data so inconsistent the agency could not verify whether many of the people it reported serving had ever appeared in DHS databases. BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN SLAMS CATHOLIC CHURCH, SAYS ‘SECURE BORDER SAVES LIVES’ Investigators also alleged at least 248 instances in which the nonprofit billed the government for services outside the 45-day window federal rules allow for migrants released from DHS custody. FEMA concluded the group provided assurances that its spreadsheets were accurate and compliant, statements the agency said were “false” or “not entirely truthful,” according to the documents. The proposed punishment is unusually severe. While federal debarments typically run three years, DHS is seeking a six-year ban due to what it describes as a pattern of “pervasive” problems that spanned multiple programs and multiple years. LAWYERS CHALLENGE DEPORTATION OF HUNDREDS OF MINORS TO GUATEMALA If finalized, the designation would cut the organization off from most federal funding streams and flag it in the government-wide System for Award Management, warning agencies and pass-through partners not to issue new grants. Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV) now has 30 days to respond, submit documentation or request a meeting to argue it remains “presently responsible.” If it does not, the six-year ban would likely go into effect. The DHS findings center heavily on migrant intake data the nonprofit submitted to justify millions of dollars in payments through FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter-Humanitarian program (EFSP-H) and its newer Shelter Services Program. FEMA said it asked the group to provide names, A-numbers, countries of origin and evidence of DHS encounters for individuals it claimed to assist. In response, the nonprofit told the agency all migrants had A-numbers recorded and asserted its spreadsheets were accurate within a 4.99% margin of error. TEXAS SUES COUNTY FOR HELPING MIGRANTS ACCESS LEGAL SUPPORT AS THEY FIGHT DEPORTATION: ‘EVIL AND WICKED’ Auditors said the reality was far different. In sample sets reviewed by the agency, A-numbers were frequently missing, truncated to four digits, or replaced with phone numbers and other stray entries. Error rates reached 21%, 26% and 42% across three spreadsheets, the documents show. When FEMA tested 100 names, it could not find 61 of them in DHS systems at all. Investigators also stressed the Rio Grande chapter’s 45-day rule violations. Under federal guidelines, NGOs may only bill for food, shelter or transport for migrants within 45 days of their release from DHS custody. FEMA told the organization it found at least 248 cases where billing dates occurred after that window had closed, raising concerns that federal dollars were used for services outside what the law allows. The agency wrote that such activity could amount to “potential criminal activity,” though DHS has not said whether it plans to refer the case for criminal review. TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN SPARKS BIPARTISAN CALL FOR ASYLUM FIXES, PROTECTION FOR LONGTIME MIGRANTS The documents further cite the nonprofit’s own posted FY 2024 audit, which reported “material weaknesses” in internal controls over federal awards, inconsistent intake procedures and missing documentation for roughly 5% of sampled recipients. FEMA said corrective-action plans were copied forward almost verbatim year to year, without meaningful improvements. Catholic leaders have recently pushed back against efforts to cut funding. Pope Leo XIV praised Catholic Charities USA this fall as “agents of hope,” commending its 168 agencies for decades of work with migrants, refugees and the poor. Pimentel, who leads the Rio Grande Valley branch, has for years been a national figure in migrant ministry. Her Humanitarian Respite Center once processed more than 1,500 migrants per day at the height of mass crossings. She has been publicly praised by the Vatican for her humanitarian work and has spoken out against a return to the Remain in Mexico policy, saying families forced to wait in Mexico suffered “tremendously.” But her organization has also been a political focal point. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has pursued cases against several Catholic migrant shelters, accusing them of encouraging illegal immigration and operating illegal “stash houses,” including his suit against Annunciation House in El Paso. A judge earlier this year blocked Paxton from deposing Sister Norma in that separate matter. The suspension now places the Rio Grande Valley operation under simultaneous federal and state scrutiny. It is not yet clear whether other local shelters or municipal partners can absorb the South Texas caseload if the nonprofit ultimately loses federal funds. CCRGV currently serves far fewer migrants than in prior years, but remains one of the region’s key intake points. DHS has not said when a final decision on debarment will be made. The organization continues to operate during the suspension period but cannot receive new federal awards until the matter is resolved. Fox News Digital reached out to Catholic Charities for comment. DHS noted to Fox News Digital that future debarments may occur and that investigations remain ongoing.
Thanksgiving recipes from America’s first families — presidential dishes to try at home
Across generations, America’s first families have celebrated Thanksgiving not just with speeches and ceremonies, but with dishes that tell stories of home. TRUMP KICKS OFF THANKSGIVING WEEK WITH TURKEY PARDON AND CHRISTMAS TREE ARRIVAL From spicy deviled eggs inspired by the Bushes’ Texas roots to the Reagans’ pumpkin pecan pie, these presidential recipes offer a delicious glimpse into the tastes that once graced the nation’s most famous dining room. Herbert and Lou Hoover’s Marshmallow Sweet Potatoes Ingredients6 sweet potatoes2 tablespoons of butter2 cups chopped walnutsNutmegSaltCreamMarshmallows Instructions1. Boil the sweet potatoes until tender. Drain well.2. Mash the potatoes thoroughly with a potato masher, making sure to remove any strings.3. Add butter, then season with nutmeg and salt to taste (start with small amounts and adjust as you like).4. Pour in cream gradually, mixing until the potatoes reach a smooth, soft consistency.5. Fold in the chopped walnuts.6. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.7. Top with marshmallows and return to the oven. Bake until the marshmallows are lightly browned and the top is golden. George and Laura Bush’s Deviled Eggs Ingredients12 large eggs, boiled hard and peeled1 tablespoon (plus) soft butter1 tablespoon (plus) mayonnaise1 tablespoon Dijon mustard1/2 teaspoon Yucatán Sunshine Habanero sauce (can be substituted for another hot sauce)Salt to taste Instructions1. Cut the eggs in half lengthwise and carefully remove the yolks. Set the egg white halves aside.2. Place the yolks in a food processor and add the mustard, Habanero sauce, and salt.3. Process for about 20 seconds, or until the mixture is smooth and well blended.4. Taste and adjust seasoning—add a bit more mustard, salt, or hot sauce if desired.5. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a star tip, and pipe the filling into the egg white halves.6. Sprinkle with paprika and chopped parsley for color and flavor.7. Chill for about 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend. Note: The Bush family favored Yucatán Sunshine Habanero sauce so much while living in Texas that their White House chef incorporated it into a variety of dishes. Gerald and Betty Ford’s Celery Stuffing Ingredients1 medium onion, chopped1 celery stalk, chopped⅓ cup of butter2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning2 tablespoons of chopped parsley1 teaspoon of salt5 cups of diced stale bread1 cup of giblet broth2 eggs, beaten Instructions1. Sauté the onions and celery in butter over medium heat until tender but not browned.2. In a large bowl, combine the bread and seasonings.3. Add the sauteed vegetables to the bread mixture and toss gently to mix.4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the giblet broth and eggs.5. Pour the broth mixture over the stuffing, stirring until evenly moistened and well combined. PUMPKIN OR APPLE? AMERICA’S FIERCEST THANKSGIVING DESSERT DEBATE HEATS UP Ike and Mamie Eisenhower’s Deep Dish Apple Pie Ingredients6 tart apples1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup brown sugar1/2 teaspoon nutmegGrated rind of 1 lemonGrated rind of 1 orange3 tablespoons butter or margarine1/2 pastry recipe (below) Pastry ingredients2 cups flour3/4 teaspoon salt2/3 cup shorteningCold water Pastry instructions 1. Sift the flour once to measure accurately.2. Mix and sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl.3. Cut in the shortening using two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with pieces about the size of small peas.4. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cold water over the mixture and toss lightly with a fork.5. Continue adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition, until the dough gathers together into a soft ball.6. Divide the dough in half.7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half to about ⅛ inch thickness. Handle the rolling pin lightly to avoid overworking the dough.8. Use as desired for two 9-inch pie crusts.Note: For a deep-dish or single-crust pie, make half this recipe. 10 ESSENTIALS YOU NEED TO HOST A STRESS-FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).2. Grease a deep baking dish and arrange the apple slices evenly inside.3. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, nutmeg, lemon rind, and orange rind.4. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the apples.5. Dot with butter or margarine.6. Cover with a thin sheet of pastry, pricking the top with a fork to create a simple design and allow steam to escape.7. Bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender, about 25–30 minutes.8. Serve warm. Makes about six servings. Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s Pumpkin Pecan Pie Ingredients4 slightly beaten eggs2 cups canned or mashed cooked pumpkin1 cup sugar1/2 cup dark corn syrup1 teaspoon vanilla1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 teaspoon salt1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell1 cup chopped pecans Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).2. Combine all ingredients except the pecans, mixing until smooth.3. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie shell.4. Arrange the pecans evenly over the top.5. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is lightly browned.6. Cool before serving to allow the filling to firm up.
Faith leader explains why Charlie Kirk’s final Thanksgiving message matters
Nearly three months after his assassination, Charlie Kirk’s legacy is inspiring many to live their lives with gratitude, prayer and truth. In 2024, just weeks after the presidential election, Kirk delivered a Thanksgiving statement on the importance of being thankful. Communio president JP De Gance says it is a message that is still relevant in 2025. “I think Charlie’s message repeats those messages of Thanksgivings long ago when we were at different times, we’ve had setbacks as a country, we have had sufferings as a country, we had losses as a country and the message of Thanksgiving is that in all things we can be grateful,” De Gance told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. “We can look to God above, and thank him both for all of our many blessings and then even, you know, it’s through our sufferings that we so frequently grow to become better men and women.” Kirk said that he loved Thanksgiving, which he called a “uniquely American tradition,” because it was a time when people of all faiths could come together to recognize the importance of gratitude. “I think it speaks very well to our nation that there is a day when we stop and say thank you,” Kirk said in 2024. He believed that “the ungrateful make the world worse” and “the grateful make the world better.” PASTOR RECALLS LAST MOMENTS WITH CHARLIE KIRK: ‘AMERICAN MARTYR’ “Gratitude is the fruit that makes everything else taste sweet. But then you must be thankful to whom? To the Almighty God,” he added. De Gance also spoke about the significance of gratitude in the Christian faith, noting that humility allows Christians to recognize the good things in their lives that emanate from God. He added that while Thanksgiving comes once a year for the nation, it is something that “ought to be part of the daily Christian walk.” In his 2024 Thanksgiving message, Kirk encouraged his listeners to disconnect from technology during Thanksgiving and instead connect with their families. ERIKA KIRK REFLECTS ON LIFE, LOSS AND FAITH IN FIRST TV INTERVIEW SINCE CHARLIE KIRK’S DEATH De Gance agreed with the sentiment, saying that it was important for Americans to take time to focus less on the “noise” of the modern world and more on those around them. “There’s so much noise from our technology and from the world around us, and I think it’s a great reminder, a great message and exhortation to disconnect from the devices and take a step back from the daily noise,” De Gance said. In line with the mission of Communio, De Gance advised that this Thanksgiving people look to find ways to invite those who may not have a community to join them. He touched on the importance of seeking out those who may not have people to enjoy Thanksgiving with and extending an invitation to them. CHARLIE KIRK’S BELIEF IN GOD AND THE WAY HE ‘DEFENDED FAITH’ IMPACTS SCORES OF YOUNG PEOPLE “It can give us a chance and an opportunity to invite others into our homes to invite them in, to experience that gratitude,” De Gance said. “We’ve got an epidemic of loneliness that is ravaging our country. . . . So we can ask ourselves, what are we doing to invite folks in who might not have someone to enjoy Thanksgiving with this season, or someone who might be far away from family and unable to travel, someone who might be a first responder and can’t get back to his family.” For those looking to honor Kirk’s legacy this Thanksgiving, De Gance suggests they look to the late activist’s core messages for inspiration. He also advised young people to go to church on Thanksgiving weekend and for all to invite family and loved ones to join in prayers of gratitude. In his last Thanksgiving message, Kirk said that “the fundamental story of Thanksgiving is to understand that there is a God and that you are not above him.” “We must have the humility to know that God is sovereign,” Kirk said.
US teen Mohammed Ibrahim released from Israeli prison after nine months
Advocates say the 16-year-old’s health had been in decline since his arrest in February for allegedly throwing rocks. Published On 27 Nov 202527 Nov 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Israeli authorities have freed Palestinian American teenager Mohammed Ibrahim after more than nine months of detention, in a case that advocates say embodies Israeli abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Mohammed’s release on Thursday came after a months-long pressure campaign from United States lawmakers and civil rights groups. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The teenager from Florida was 15 years old in February when he was arrested and taken from his family home in the town of al-Mazraa ash-Sharqiya, near Ramallah. He turned 16 while being held in Israeli jail, where he drastically lost weight and contracted a skin infection. “Words can’t describe the immense relief we have as a family right now, to have Mohammed in his parents’ arms,” Mohammed’s uncle Zeyad Kadur said in a statement. “We couldn’t believe Mohammed was free until his parents wrapped their arms around him and felt him safe.” Mohammed was arrested over allegations that he threw rocks at Israeli settlers, which he denied. His father, Zaher Ibrahim and other relatives told Al Jazeera earlier this year that Mohammed was blindfolded and beaten during February’s raid on his family home. Israeli authorities did not allow him to contact his family while in prison, nor did he have any visitation rights. The only updates his loved ones were receiving were through US officials, who were granted access to Mohammed. Throughout his detention, his family members pleaded with the administration of US President Donald Trump to push for his release — or at least ensure that he had access to adequate food and healthcare. Advertisement “Israeli soldiers had no right to take Mohammed from us in the first place,” Kadur said in Thursday’s statement. “For more than 9 months, our family has been living a horrific and endless nightmare, particularly Mohammed’s mother and father, who haven’t been able to see or touch their youngest child for nearly a year, all while knowing Israeli soldiers were beating him and starving him.” The pressure campaign to release Mohammed intensified over the past few weeks amid reports that his health was deteriorating. Last month, 27 US lawmakers joined a letter urging the Trump administration to push Israel to free him. Individual legislators, most prominently Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, have also been raising awareness for the case and demanding Mohammed’s release. Thursday’s statement thanked those who pushed for Mohammed’s release and said the family plans to celebrate his freedom by celebrating the teenager’s 16th birthday belatedly, with his mother Muna serving his favourite meal. “No mother, father, parent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, or child should ever have to go through what Mohammed just went through,” Kadur wrote. Adblock test (Why?)
The numbers behind UN report on women and girls killed
NewsFeed A UN report has found that at least 83,000 women and girls were intentionally killed last year, about 1 every six minutes. Al Jazeera’s Soraya Lennie breaks down the numbers. Published On 27 Nov 202527 Nov 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Tunisia frees prominent lawyer and critic of President Saied
Sonia Dahmani, arrested in 2024 after questioning government policy on African refugees and migrants, says she hopes her release will mark end of ‘nightmare’ for herself and other prisoners. Published On 27 Nov 202527 Nov 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Tunisia has freed prominent lawyer Sonia Dahmani, a vocal critic of President Kais Saied, after a year and a half in prison. Dahmani, who is also a media commentator, is widely seen as a leading dissenting voice in Tunisia, and her arrest prompted local protests demanding her release and international criticism. She was convicted over comments during a television appearance that questioned the government’s stance on undocumented African refugees and migrants in Tunisia. When asked whether they would try to stay and “conquer” Tunisia, Dahmani said: “What kind of extraordinary country are we talking about? The one that half of its youth want to leave?” A court said the comments had insulted Tunisia and spread false information intended to harm it. As Dahmani was released from a prison in Manouba near Tunis, dozens of her family members and activists chanted: “The police state’s era of repression is over.” She told reporters, “I hope this is the end of the nightmare for me and all the other prisoners.” Her lawyer Sami Ben Ghazi said the justice minister had issued a release order under a system that enables prisoners to apply for release after serving half their sentences. The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists welcomed Dahmani’s release and called for the release of other detained journalists. International and local rights groups said Dahmani’s imprisonment last year marked a deepening crackdown on dissent in the North African country. During a sweeping power grab in July 2021, Saied suspended parliament and expanded executive power so he could rule by decree. Since then, the president has jailed many of his critics. Advertisement Many of the powers that Saied had taken for himself were later enshrined in a new constitution, ratified in a widely boycotted 2022 referendum, while media figures and lawyers critical of Saied have been prosecuted and detained under a harsh “fake news” law enacted that same year. Saied says his actions are legal and aimed at ending years of chaos and rampant corruption. Widespread crackdown Amnesty International said this month that a crackdown on rights groups has reached critical levels with arbitrary arrests, detentions, asset freezes, banking restrictions and suspensions targeting 14 NGOs. Human Rights Watch said more than 50 people, including politicians, lawyers, journalists and activists, have been subjected to arbitrary arrest or prosecution since late 2022 for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and political activity. Early in Saied’s tenure, his government focused its crackdown on the Ennahdha Party. Tunisian courts have handed several jail sentences to Ennahdha’s leader, former Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi, in cases that his supporters said are politically motivated. Even Saied’s former allies have not been spared in the crackdown. Nadia Akacha, the Tunisian president’s former chief of staff, who was considered one of his closest and most influential aides, was sentenced to 35 years in prison in absentia in July. Adblock test (Why?)